Promises, promises 2

John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said they were “severely disappointed” with Mr Cameron.

“In opposition, the Conservative Party promised to put a fuel duty stabiliser in place – something the FSB has been calling for – but they have failed to deliver,” he said.
“As such, they are placing strain on already hard-hit businesses’ cash-flow. It is imperative the government acts now and introduces the stabiliser to avoid a relentless flow of fuel duty increases that simply put small firms on a knife-edge.”

In 2008 when in opposition, the Conservatives proposed a “fair fuel stabiliser” – something criticised by the then Labour government who said it could leave a £3bn hole in public finances.

Presumably John Walker and the FSB voted for Mr Cameron’s party in the hope of getting something in return. A lot of people fell for that one.

Mind you, the FSB (somehow worryingly sharing the same initials as the successor to the KGB) didn’t mention that the coalition is raising the starting point for employers’ National Insurance Contributions to reduce the cost to firms, but is leaving in place the higher levies on the poor old employees. No doubt the FSB is rubbing its hands about trading that for their vote.